History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy eBook

of my house except by your favor and advice. Nor
should we ever be able to conduct the affairs of this
republic, if you did not contribute to our support.
Therefore, I know not the reason of their hatred toward
us, or what just cause they have of envy. Let
them direct their enmity against their own ancestors,
who, by their pride and avarice, lost the reputation
which ours, by very opposite conduct, were enabled
to acquire. But let it be granted we have greatly
injured them, and that they are justified in seeking
our ruin; why do they come and take possession of
the palace? Why enter into league with the pope
and the king, against the liberties of this republic?
Why break the long-continued peace of Italy?
They have no excuse for this; they ought to confine
their vengeance to those who do them wrong, and not
confound private animosities with public grievances.
Hence it is that since their defeat our misfortune
is the greater; for on their account the pope and
the king make war upon us, and this war, they say,
is directed against my family and myself. And
would to God that this were true; then the remedy
would be sure and unfailing, for I would not be so
base a citizen as to prefer my own safety to yours;
I would at once resolve to ensure your security, even
though my own destruction were the immediate and inevitable
consequence. But as the wrongs committed by princes
are usually concealed under some less offensive covering,
they have adopted this plea to hide their more abominable
purpose. If, however, you think otherwise, I
am in your hands; it is with you to do with me what
you please. You are my fathers, my protectors,
and whatever you command me to do I will perform most
willingly; nor will I ever refuse, when you find occasion
to require it, to close the war with my own blood which
was commenced with that of my brother.”
While Lorenzo spoke, the citizens were unable to refrain
from tears, and the sympathy with which he had been
heard was extended to their reply, delivered by one
of them in the name of the rest, who said that the
city acknowledged many advantages derived from the
good qualities of himself and his family; and encouraged
them to hope that with as much promptitude as they
had used in his defense, and in avenging his brother’s
death, they would secure to him his influence in the
government, which he should never lose while they
retained possession of the country. And that their
deeds might correspond with their words, they immediately
appointed a number of armed men, as a guard for the
security of his person against domestic enemies.

CHAPTER III

The Florentines prepare for war against the pope—­They
appeal to a future council—­Papal and Neapolitan
movements against the Florentines—­The Venetians
refuse to assist the Florentines—­Disturbances
in Milan—­Genoa revolts from the duke—­Futile
endeavors to effect peace with the pope—­The
Florentines repulse their enemies from the territory
of Pisa—­They attack the papal states—­The
papal forces routed upon the borders of the Lake of
Perugia.